Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-20-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R22 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires checking the yoke half assembly (yoke) for any crack and replacing a cracked yoke assembly before further flight. This AD also requires replacing certain yokes with airworthy yokes before further flight after January 1, 2001. This AD is prompted by the discovery of cracks in the yoke. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect crack formation and growth, which could result in separation of the yokes from the main rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.